How much does an internship abroad really cost? Complete cost breakdown 2026

How much does an internship abroad really cost? Complete cost breakdown 2026

Most students considering an internship abroad wrestle with the same question: what does it actually cost? Not the optimistic answer from a website selling internship programmes, but the real answer — including the costs that don't immediately catch your eye.

This article gives you that honest overview. No sugarcoating, no hidden costs that surface later. Just a transparent breakdown of all cost categories, split by destination, supplemented with concrete money-saving tips and information about the Erasmus+ grant that significantly reduces costs for many students.

The 5 cost categories of an internship abroad

An internship abroad involves five main cost categories. Below we discuss each category honestly and concretely.

1. Agency fees

If you use an internship agency to find your placement, you pay an agency fee. This is a one-off amount for the service — finding and proposing internship placements, guidance on housing and insurance, and support throughout your internship.

At Abroad Internships the agency fees are:

• European destinations: €495
• Destinations outside Europe: €695

This is a one-off investment — no subscription, no hidden costs afterwards. What you get in return is an internship placement that matches your studies and ambitions, personal guidance and a network of partners on the ground.

Can you find a placement without an agency? Yes — but finding an internship placement abroad yourself is time-consuming, language barriers can be a factor and quality control is absent. For many students the agency fee is an efficient investment in time and certainty.

2. Flights

The flight is the largest one-off cost for destinations outside Europe. For European destinations it is usually manageable.

Return flight price guidelines from Amsterdam:

• European destinations (Spain, Portugal, Italy): €80–€250
• Central Europe (Czech Republic, Poland, Austria): €60–€200
• Northern Europe (Norway, Sweden, Finland): €80–€250
• England: €60–€200
• North America (New York, Toronto): €400–€900
• Latin America (Buenos Aires, Mexico City): €550–€1,100
• Asia (Tokyo, Bangkok, Singapore): €450–€1,000
• Australia and New Zealand: €700–€1,350

Money-saving tip: book your flights at least 6–8 weeks in advance. Use Google Flights to track price developments and set a price alert for your destination.

3. Housing

Housing is generally the largest recurring monthly cost. Prices vary considerably by destination and type of accommodation.

The three most common options:

• Shared house (shared apartment): cheapest option, most social
• Own studio or apartment: more privacy, higher costs
• Host family: meals included, most structured

Also factor in the one-off deposit at the start — typically one to three months' rent depending on the country. You get this back when you leave provided there is no damage, but you do need it available in liquid form upon arrival.

Cost table by destination

Below you will find an honest overview of total monthly costs by destination, including rent, living expenses and insurance — excluding flights and one-off start-up costs.

Tokyo, Japan

• Housing (shared house): €600–€900
• Living expenses: €480–€870
• Insurance: €25–€50
• Total per month: €1,105–€1,820

Barcelona, Spain

• Housing (shared house): €500–€700
• Living expenses: €455–€785
• Insurance: €15–€30
• Total per month: €970–€1,515

New York, USA

• Housing (shared house): €1,100–€1,500
• Living expenses: €820–€1,325
• Insurance: €40–€80
• Total per month: €1,960–€2,905

Bangkok, Thailand

• Housing (shared house): €250–€450
• Living expenses: €268–€555
• Insurance: €20–€40
• Total per month: €538–€1,045

Lisbon, Portugal

• Housing (shared house): €600–€850
• Living expenses: €420–€750
• Insurance: €15–€30
• Total per month: €1,035–€1,630

One-off start-up costs (for reference)

• Agency fees Abroad Internships: €495 (Europe) or €695 (outside Europe)
• Flight: see category 2
• Housing deposit: 1–3 months' rent
• Visa (if applicable): €50–€400

What does Erasmus+ cover and how do you apply?

The Erasmus+ grant is one of the most valuable financial tools for students who want to do an internship abroad — and also one of the most underused. Many students think Erasmus+ is only for exchange semesters, but the grant applies fully to internships too.

What is the Erasmus+ grant for internships?

The Erasmus+ grant is a monthly allowance from the European Union for students doing an internship in another Erasmus+-participating country. The grant is designed to compensate for the additional costs of an internship abroad.

Grant amounts (2025–2026):

• Group 1 (most expensive countries — Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Norway, Sweden, UK): €530–€600 per month
• Group 2 (average countries — Belgium, Germany, Austria, France, Italy, Spain, Cyprus, Greece, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal): €450–€520 per month
• Group 3 (most affordable countries — all other participating countries): €400–€470 per month

Internships outside the EU generally do not fall under the standard Erasmus+ grant, but some universities and colleges have additional funds for intercontinental internships — check with your educational institution.

Who is eligible?

You are eligible for the Erasmus+ grant if you:

• Are enrolled at a recognised college or university in the Netherlands
• Do your internship in an Erasmus+-participating country
• Your internship lasts at least 2 months
• Have not already used 12 months of Erasmus+ (study and internship combined)

How do you apply?

You apply for the Erasmus+ grant through the international office of your own educational institution — not through the EU or an external agency. The process varies by institution but generally follows these steps:

• Step 1: register with the international office of your college or university
• Step 2: submit your internship placement and internship agreement for approval
• Step 3: sign the Erasmus+ agreement (Learning Agreement)
• Step 4: receive the grant — typically in two instalments (before departure and after return)

Important: the application must be submitted before departure — you cannot apply for the grant retrospectively. Start the application process at least six to eight weeks before your internship begins.

Money-saving tips by category

Agency fees

• Compare agencies on service quality, not just price — a cheap agency that delivers a poor placement costs you more than a slightly more expensive one with an excellent network
• Check whether your educational institution offers a subsidy for agency fees

Flights

• Book at least 6–8 weeks in advance
• Use Google Flights for price alerts
• Fly mid-week — Tuesday and Wednesday are on average 15–20% cheaper than weekends
• Consider the train for European destinations — for Paris, Brussels and London the train is cheaper and faster than flying once you factor in travel time to the airport

Housing

• Choose a shared house instead of a studio — you save €200–€500 per month and immediately build a social network
• Start looking only after your placement is confirmed — so you choose the best location relative to your workplace
• Always pay via an official contract — never cash without written confirmation

Living expenses

• Open a free account with Revolut or Wise before departure — no exchange rate costs and free cash withdrawals worldwide
• Cook as much as possible yourself — in most countries self-catering is 50–70% cheaper than eating out daily
• Use public transport and buy a monthly pass — always cheaper than individual tickets
• Use apps like Too Good To Go (many European cities) for heavily discounted food at the end of the day

Insurance

• Compare travel insurance via an independent comparison site — price differences for comparable coverage are significant
• Always check whether internship activities and workplace liability are included
• Combine your travel insurance with your existing liability insurance to avoid double coverage

Want to know exactly what an internship in your destination will cost you? 

Schedule a free introductory call — we will work through the numbers together.